Change is in the air.

Blogpost No6 June 2024

We’re halfway through the year! As you can imagine it's been a time of reflection for me. 2024 has been significant so far and I believe that trend will continue. By that I mean that everything, on just about every level, is up for grabs - change is in the air. This is a highly charged point in our evolution … the obvious despair and devastation around the globe can serve as a wake-up call, or we can fall into deeper, reasoned misery that only fuels the drama and give up on humanity altogether. I have high hopes, despite evidence to the contrary. I suppose I have faith. Not the faith of my childhood when I believed whatever I was told to believe but it resembles it; I can still rely on my innate innocence but I now support it with hard-won discernment. It helps me to make sense of this crazy world. Mostly I feel buoyant. And those times when I’m thrashing about trying to rise above the turbulence (when I remember) I stop, close my eyes, take a long, slow, deep breath and bring a smile to my face - for absolutely no reason whatsoever. And then I repeat the phrase that serves every moment in time: this, too, shall pass.

NO idea where that came from! Thanks for listening. I appreciate your wisdom and patience in letting me get that off my chest. Onward!

With Mum’s passing last month, there’s a lot to organise and put into action. The red tape that holds our world in a sticky bundle, needs to be sorted and sifted through. Most of it’s in place now though it will be a few months before it’s all dealt with. I’m sharing an edited version of the video reel I put together for her “wake” as there are some priceless moments captured. See for yourself:

I mostly feel good but there are days when everything’s just flat. No urgency or inspiration to do very much at all. I find myself staring into space a lot, unaware of any thoughts, just, looking out to the middle distance. Then I come back to myself and do the next, nearest thing. And the next. And so it goes.

On the days when I feel upbeat and ready for the world, I enjoy the company of good friends. I mean, I enjoy Bob’s company all the time :-) x he is my ROCK but every now and then … my gorgeous friends surround me with delight and a whole lotta love. I also swear at the cold sea as I enter its embrace and shout my thanks as I leave, feeling refreshed and once more fully alive. During TT I was invited to an amazing experience at Glen Wyllin Campsite. Fire and Ice, is run by a company called River Sea Sauna (it might have only been for TT as I can't find their website anymore?). It’s an hour-long session comprised of 15 minutes in a beautiful handcrafted gypsy-caravan-style wooden sauna, followed by 1/2/3 minutes fully immersed in an ice bath. To be honest I didn’t think I’d manage more than a few seconds in the ice but turns out I’m a natural! My lovely friend Andrene and I had four 15-minute sessions in the heat and three ice baths. A 2 minute dip followed by two X three minutes. We felt like superheroes! I will definitely be doing it again.

Our lovely neighbour Jill who now looks after Sweep, wasn’t well for a couple of weeks, so I offered to walk Sweep. What a joy! It’s impossible to be down with a dog (see what I did there?:) with his delight at simply being out in the world. It was so lovely to be reminded of the joys of walking behind a wagging tail.

The garden and greenhouse in particular have been a source of great satisfaction. Tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, garlic, courgette, strawberries, onions, French beans, broad beans and peas … it’s a riot of delicious greenery and bright splashes of colour that never fail to make my heart sing. Apart from the slugs! But I shall refrain from focussing on their shenanigans. I will explain that someone told me (and it makes sense) that “If the British Isles is the country of slugs then, the Isle of Man is their Capital!" I’m trying the effects of nettles sprinkled with eggshells. It’s worth a try.

I’m almost ready to start re-engaging in a musical sense. Children Of The Sea continues to fly out from Fled’gling Records at a steady pace and I’m about to ask local shops and places of interest on the island to stock it on their shelves. And it’s almost time to start preparations for the tour in November! It’ll be here in no time. I’ll get there soon enough. Just as a teaser here's a minute of Little Jenny Wren with the video that will accompany the live performances ... all images are from David Suff's library of beautiful art, including his fabulous contribution to Children Of The Sea - his joyous Jenny Wren. You're welcome!

I’ll just remind you for any song requests for the second half of the show when I’ll be playing a selection of songs from across my 40 year (what?!!) Career! Leave your requests on FaceBook or below in the Comments and I’ll add them to my growing list. I’m hoping to do a different set of songs each night, so let me know which gig you’ll be at to make sure I play something you’d like to hear.

There are a few posts you might like to check out from over the past few weeks … not many but a few lovely-looking scenarios: FACEBOOK

Summer Solstice was a fabulous evening with my witchy friends. Bob, bless him created a wonderful fire pit for us out in the field and miraculously the weather was perfect! There were 10 of us sitting around the fire drinking sacred cacao, sharing our hopes, letting go of our fears and howling at the moon. It was perfection.

I'll just remind those on the island July 14th that The Power Of Three have another gorgeous Day Retreat At Sulby village hall 9.45am to 4.15pm including delicious veggie food. Participants of our last one in May were blown away by the content and atmosphere created. We LOVE it! Please do consider joining us then. Here's a link to the event

It’s almost time to go inside and make dinner … another salad furnished with strawberry leaves, lettuce and herbs from the garden/greenhouse and maybe a slice of Bob’s delicious wholemeal bread … life is good! All is well all shall be well. Thanks as always for dropping by to check on what’s occurring here on the tiny isle … I so appreciate it!

Stay well till next time and remember … keep rising above the turbulence!

Much love and endless blessings!

Christine x